The Notre Dame Equestrian team finished their regular season as the B Division Reserve Champion for District 2 of MIHA (Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association), earning them a spot at the Region E Championship competition later this month.
After a long day of intense competition, the Irish took second overall by a mere three points, even though Armada had taken second place for the day. “It was too close to call as we went into the final events, so we were overjoyed when they announced our team as the reserve champions,” said coach Stephanie Bean.
The team was in second place for the day and overall for most of Saturday’s meet. Kendall Lance, Riley Simmonds and Olivia Urban started the day out strongly with placings in the showmanship classes. Team captain Sophia Shick, Maegan Fitzgerald, Urban and Cara DeFelice rode in the saddle seat events; Shick, Fitzgerald, DeFelice, and Lance rode in the huntseat events; and Lance and Shick also rode in the western events. Team captain Jane Gemellaro, Urban, DeFelice, Fitzgerald, and Simmonds finished out the day in the speed classes.
“I’m incredibly proud of our riders for standing strong against everything the competition threw at them,” said coach and NDP alum (‘13) Theresa Schmid. “I also cannot thank our team parents enough for all of their support; they chaperone at the campsites overnight, have breakfast ready at 6:30 A.M. and make sure everyone gets fed, and standing at the ready to hold a horse or pull a saddle- even if they don’t have any previous horse experience.”
The district also held its senior appreciation ceremony on Saturday, recognizing Notre Dame’s three seniors- Gemellaro, Shick, and Simmonds- with flowers and a public thank you from the coaches. Team captains Gemellaro and Shick have been on the team for all four years, and Simmonds joined the team her junior year. “Our seniors are going to be sorely missed next year,” said Coach Bean. “They’ve strongly built up this team’s spirit and competitive drive, and we’re lucky to have them on the team.”
Notre Dame will be join Goodrich, Oxford, Clarkston, Imlay City, Stoney Creek, and two yet-to-be-determined schools in representing the district at regionals. The Irish will have to compete against Goodrich and up to six other schools to advance to the State Championship.
The regional championship will take place on September 30 and October 1 at the Ingham County Fairgrounds.